The Legendary Mage (Alavin)

A colossal black bear almost filled the courtyard, its body swirling with dark mists like a true Magi-Monster, exuding an overwhelming force. Its eyes glinted green, staring down at the humans below before letting out a thunderous roar and slamming its massive paw onto the ground. The powerful force of its spirit exploded in an instant, sweeping through the warehouse.

The middle-aged Protégés were struck as if by lightning, stiffening on the spot with eyes wide, as if consciousness had left them.

Carlys watched the massive bear in shock. A silent black void loomed before them, terrifying and awe-inspiring.

Eyla was also taken aback. A Mage of the Soul?

Grima was exasperated. "All this fuss just for a few slaps?"

The dark bear burst into a roar, dissolving into thousands of wisps of black mist, rushing back into Godfred's body. "They are all high-ranking Advanced Mages. What if they resist and hurt Lord Alavin?" "What have you done to them?" Alavin approached, hoping no lives were lost. A few slaps were within his rights, but if the situation escalated, the Elders really had the authority to punish him severely. "Rest easy. Let's rattle their souls a bit so they're dazed. It makes it easier for me to strike." Godfred flexed his wrists, strode over to the most boisterous of the Protégés who had been shouting earlier, and with a series of sharp cracks, delivered over a dozen slaps that sent the Protégé's head spinning and his cheeks quickly swelling up.

"I'll join in!" Grima, bearing a grudge against Cobalt Strike, clenched her teeth and began to slap furiously. Each smack was raised high and brought down with a whooshing force.

Soon after, the unconscious middle-aged Protégés were dumped at the foot of the mountain. Their bodies were twisted and arranged in the shape of a large 'X' Roll away!

Each Protégé was bruised and swollen, and blood trickled from the corners of their mouths. They were indistinguishable from one another.

Alavin personally squatted by the gate and chiseled a few large runes into a stone slab. "Trespassers will get ten slaps as punishment!"

Cobalt Strike became the talk of the realm. The Protégés was totally stunned. Indeed, they had been dealt a firm hand. No mistake, this was Alavin's style!

Upon seeing the stone slab, everyone remembered that within the Organization, to preserve the status of the Golden Protégés and ensure their undisturbed training, a rule was established - no one may interrupt the Golden Protégés' training or trespass into their private cloisters, with violators subject to the slap punishment.

The Elder sent to apprehend Alavin was nearly apoplectic with rage. In all his years, he had never been so insulted by a Protégé. This wasn't just a slap in their face; it was a slap in his own.

Would he try to apprehend Alavin again? Unless they could defeat Alavin's two guards, it would be difficult to drag him out. But if they really sent Master Mages to do the job, the situation would escalate significantly. Given Alavin's temperament, he might truly order his guards to fight to the death. The Elder had no choice but to bite back his fury. After all, it was he who had provoked Alavin.

"Alavin! Just back and already causing a stir across the whole Organization. Only you could manage such a feat," a hearty laugh echoed from beyond the iron gate, as Nikulas first poked his head in, peering around. "May I enter? Or will I be tossed out, too?"

"Enough babble, get in!" Myke kicked him forward from behind.

Alavin greeted them with a smile. "It can't be helped. I'm too envied. Seeking tranquility requires some... unusual methods."

Nikulas and Myke looked Alavin up and down. "Truly an Advanced Mage now?"

"Just broke through."

The two expressed their awe. "You're not giving us any chance to catch up."

"With both of your potentials, you should have broken through by now."

"It's not that easy, but we're close." Nikulas glanced over at Eyla emerging from the storehouse, and despite having seen her many times, he still couldn't help but feel dazzled by her presence, particularly facing those unsettling crimson eyes.

"By bringing her here, you're not thinking of leaving Cobalt Strike, are you?" Myke whispered.

"No plans of that sort, for now."

The two exchanged a look. "For now?" It seemed like Alavin was really considering leaving Cobalt Strike.

"Are you two here to challenge Alavin as well?" Eyla approached, her movements sultry and seductive, enough to unsettle any hearty man. But a single look at her blood-red eyes dispelled any wild thoughts. The danger was the only sense that remained.

"One day, we really should challenge Alavin together, but it would have to be a joint effort!" Nikulas laughed.

Myke asked. "Do you know why Semar and the others wanted to challenge you?"